Draft Budget 2025
We strongly encourage our members to click on the link and provide feedback on Budget 2025. We have few opportunities to influence spending from city hall - but this is one option!
Have your say on Draft Budget 2025
Deadline is this Friday, September 13th.
Switching to Bluesky
Please note that the Ottawa Transit Riders is no longer on Twitter / X. Our handle on Bluesky is @otttransitriders.bsky.social
Join us at Transit Commission on Sept 12th
Are you mad about transit cuts?
Frustrated that the city keeps reducing support for this essential service?
The next Transit Commission meeting is Thursday September 12th – sign up to describe your unhappiness to city councillors and demand better.
If you’re new to the process, we can answer some questions.
The Ottawa Transit Riders, Free Transit Ottawa, and Horizon Ottawa have teamed up to encourage people who are mad about transit cuts to present to the Transit Commission. We recently conducted a training session to explain how the process works and you can watch a video of this session at: Public Delegations
Step one is email Eric Pelot at [email protected] and ask to speak at the Transit Commission on September 12th.
The agenda is available here: AGENDA
You can tell Eric which agenda item you want to speak to or simply tell him that you are objecting to the cuts.
You will be given five minutes to speak.
We recommend that you make notes. We recommend that you highlight how transit affects you personally – tell the councillors a story about your experience if possible. Feel free to talk about good things too – what freedom does GOOD transit provide?
You can submit a powerpoint presentation to Eric in advance if you want.
Note that you cannot ask the councillors questions, but they might ask you some follow-up questions.
Tell them if you are a first-time delegate – that’s powerful!
Feel free to email us at [email protected] if you have questions.
Training on how to present at Transit Commission
Several groups, including the Ottawa Transit Riders are collaborating on a training session to give people support if they want to attend the next Transit Commission meeting in September. Come join like-minded people as we discuss how to push back against the LRT cut-backs.
Training Session - TUESDAY, August 20th
Why reduce LRT service?
Why is OC Transpo planning to reduce LRT frequency in September just as students go back to school and public servants are forced to increase the number of days in the office?
News has leaked that OC Transpo plans to reduce the frequency of the LRT during “quiet” parts of the day, basically between 9am and 3pm.
Here's how often LRT, subways run during midday, nonpeak periods across Canada Ottawa councillor concerned O-Train service changes part of a 'death spiral of public transit' | CTV News
OC Transpo to cut midday LRT service frequency to 10 minutes OC Transpo to cut midday LRT service frequency to 10 minutes | CBC News
Horizon Ottawa has launched a petition to call on the city and OC Transpo to rethink their plans; you can sign and share it: TAKE ACTION: Reverse cuts to the LRT! - Horizon Ottawa
A rally to protest this reduction is being planned – keep watching this website for details.
Survey about dedicated bus lanes in the Glebe
The Glebe is a fantastic, vibrant neighbourhood with lots of interesting one-of-a-kind stores. Lansdowne market is a draw as are sporting events like women’s hockey (PWHL), soccer, and football.
But, as anyone who has visited recently knows, the Glebe is dealing with severe traffic problems and frequent gridlock.
The city has launched a survey to solicit opinions about how to make getting around the Glebe a little easier. We encourage our members to participate in this survey. Please note that if none of the options seem like a good idea, you can always write comments about what you think would make the Glebe better.
The deadline is Tuesday, July 31st.
The Ottawa Transit Riders will always support better bus infrastructure such as dedicated bus lanes that are a tried-and-true solution to gridlock.
Trillium line questions
The Trillium line – the diesel powered train that will run North-South to the airport has been delayed again. The Ottawa Transit Riders’ official position is that safety is a paramount concern. If the train is not ready, it should not be launched.
Trillium Line opening still 8-10 weeks away, maybe longer
However, delay after delay is testing the public’s patience. The previously functional O-train that ran from Bayview to Greenboro, through Carleton University, was shut down in May 2020, supposedly for two years. Spare a thought for students at Carleton University who may have expected a convenient train for at least part of their period of studies.
The train will be more than two years late when it finally re-opens.
Here are some articles about the frustration:
Trillium Line delayed again, no firm opening date | CBC News
Trillium Line LRT opening delayed again, City of Ottawa subcommittee is told
Train léger : nouveau retard pour le prolongement de la ligne vers l’aéroport
While we do not know why this project is far behind, we note that this is another example of a P3 (public-private partnership) which progressive groups have long complained is an ineffective, unreliable, and expensive method for building public infrastructure.
Public-Private Partnerships have no place in Canada’s Post-COVID “Just Recovery”
'Disastrous' LRT experience should end public-private infrastructure projects, says Ontario NDP
At Lansdowne Market on Sunday
You might like to know that members of the Ottawa Transit Riders will be staffing a table at the Lansdowne Market on Sunday, July 28th.
Come by and say “Hi!”
Lansdowne Market - Ottawa Farmers' Market (ottawafarmersmarket.ca)
Vous aimeriez peut-être savoir que des membres du groupe des usagers de transport en commun d'Ottawa tiendront une table au Marché fermier de Lansdowne le dimanche 28 juillet.
Venez nous rendre visite et dire « Bonjour ! »
Marché Lansdowne - Marché des fermiers d'Ottawa (ottawafarmersmarket.ca)
Transit in the news
OC Transpo has been in the news recently. Here are some articles that might be of interest.
The Federal government has announced its new permanent transit fund, but some transit advocates are disappointed that it fails to cover operational funding.
Federal $30 billion fund may not be enough to save struggling transit services, critics warn Federal $30 billion fund may not be enough to save struggling transit services, critics warn | CBC News
Trudeau outlines details of $30B, 10-year fund for public transit Trudeau outlines details of $30B, 10-year fund for public transit | CBC News
OC Transpo is testing the new trains that will run on the Trillium line (south to the airport), but they have not committed to a launch date yet. Considering the problems that we experienced when the LRT was launched before it was ready, the Ottawa Transit Riders is pleased that OC Transpo is being cautious. The train will launch when it is ready.
'We are not ready to start trial running': OC Transpo will not commit to opening date for Trillium Line OC Transpo will not commit to opening date for Trillium Line in Ottawa | CTV News
Ottawa's LRT testing has a troubled past. Here's how it'll work with the Trillium Line Ottawa's LRT testing has a troubled past. Here's how it'll work with the Trillium Line | CBC News
An inquest has been called to examine what went wrong in the horrible bus crash at Westboro.
Inquest called into 2019 Westboro bus crash Inquest called into 2019 bus crash deaths | CBC News
OC Transpo has bought some electric buses.
OC Transpo acquires 51 electric buses from Nova Bus OC Transpo acquires 51 electric buses from Nova Bus | Belleville Intelligencer
Results from Stittsville Transit Forum
On June 12, the Ottawa Transit Riders hosted a transit forum at the Stittsville legion. Transit Chair Glen Gower attended along with local residents, including some who take Para Transpo.
The conversation was spirited and lively – participants talked about common issues such as infrequent buses and poor connectivity. Several people mentioned the effect of poor transit on their children – travelling to and from local colleges and universities can be a challenge.
Councillor Gower presented the group with details about upcoming changes which are clearly informed by his conversations with local riders.
Here is a copy of the report. "Stittsville Forum"
We are planning a transit forum in Barrhaven in September and a student-focused forum at Carleton University in the Fall. Keep watching this space for dates – we intend to visit other neighbourhoods as well.